Revive Bagan Datuk jetty in light of border opening, says exco

IPOH: More business and tourism activities need to be created to revive the Bagan Datuk Jetty in line with the opening of the national borders.

Perak Housing, Local Government and Tourism Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi (pic) on Saturday (April 2) said industry players and stakeholders should take the opportunity now to revive activities at the Hutan Melintang International Ferry Terminal or better known as Bagan Datuk Jetty, which had not been operational since the Covid-19 lockdown.

"The jetty became quiet due to the ban on activities during this pandemic phase. Hopefully, with the reopening of the border, more activities can be carried out to attract entrepreneurs to revive the jetty in Bagan Datuk," she said when met at the Labun Mak Dara Theatre at Perakfm Auditorium here today.

Reportedly, the terminal is still not fully operational because the state government needs to make a detailed study of security aspects.

The ferry terminal is the departure point for Indonesians working in this country to leave for their hometowns, to the Port of Teluk Nibung in Tanjung Balai, Sumatra. Passenger fare from this ferry terminal to Tanjung Balai is RM220 per person for the five-to-six hour journey.

In the meantime, she said the target of five million domestic tourists set earlier was expected to be achieved following the opening up of borders.

"I hope to revive the tourism industry after we successfully go through the endemic phase," she said. - Bernama